Community Update: Current Data, Commencement & Summer School

Gardner-Webb community, 

For the past 14 months, we have communicated regularly with you to provide vital information related to the COVID pandemic and its impact on our campus.  In our weekly or bi-weekly “Community Updates,” we have detailed the number of positive cases among our faculty, staff and students, as well as the number of persons quarantined through contact tracing.  

Today’s COVID-related Community Update will mark the last (we hope) in its current form.  These communications have lately become routinized quarantine counts, and because the number of positive cases at GWU has thankfully declined over time we think we can now pivot away from the present messaging model.  We want to reduce redundancy and instead share new developments with you only when/if they emerge.

It has been a tough year-plus for everyone.  We’ve prayed together.  We’ve held candlelight vigils.  We’ve worked hard to get the word out about masks, social distancing, hand washing, and various other preventative measures.  We’ve kept our community apprised of vaccination opportunities. Sadly, we’ve also been together at memorial services mourning those lost to this scourge.  Through it all, we have prioritized getting accurate information out and into the hands of our community.  I hope it has been helpful.

The pandemic continues.  We are not out of the woods yet; still, the data suggest that we are indeed turning the COVID corner.  

Gardner-Webb will continue to send out critical health-related information as we receive it and as conditions warrant.  We will remain actively vigilant in our efforts to keep everybody on campus safe and healthy.

Thanks to everyone for their ongoing efforts to press forward with our mission, guided by firm faith and an abundance of compassion for one another.  When they write about this chapter in Gardner-Webb’s history, the word “resilience” will no doubt appear with considerable frequency.

Current Data

As of today, April 23, Gardner-Webb is reporting five positive cases of COVID-19 among our students, faculty, and staff (all are in isolation).  

We have one residential undergraduate student who has tested positive and is in isolation on campus. Three residential undergraduate students are currently positive and in isolation at home. We have one residential undergraduate student in quarantine on campus.  

There is one commuter or graduate student in quarantine at home.

Among our faculty and staff, there is one positive case of COVID-19 in isolation and 0 in quarantine.

As a reminder to faculty and staff, individuals with actual or potential exposure to COVID-19 should notify their supervisor immediately, and their supervisor will then notify David Wacaster (704.406.3235), Barry Lane (704.406.2266) and Human Resources—Eric Plemmons (704.406.4259). Faculty may also use [email protected] for any questions or concerns you may have regarding quarantine dates for your students.

If you have any symptoms, remember to reach out immediately. If you are a residential student and develop any COVID symptoms, contact the Dean of Students, Lesley Villarose, at [email protected] or (610) 322-7265. Residential students may also contact Brian Arnold at [email protected] or (704) 974-2810. If you are a commuter, graduate or doctoral student, faculty or staff and you develop COVID symptoms you can contact Barry Lane at [email protected] or (704) 297-6988.

Commencement

Commencement will be held Friday, May 7, in Spangler Stadium with college and school recognition events scheduled for Saturday, May 8, also in Spangler Stadium. Friday night Commencement will be followed on Saturday by celebrations beginning at 8:00AM where graduates will be recognized as they cross the stage. Following the celebration there will be a reception across from the stadium on the practice field where students can gather with their families, fellow students and faculty. Ticket information, weather plans, schedules, parking and more can be found right here.

Summer School

Summer In The Springs is a great way to get those extra hours in before the fall semester. Catch up or get ahead!  For a full list of classes available and contact information, go right here. Undergraduate, graduate, and degree completion classes are available, and a variety of start dates makes it easy!

Stay healthy and strong, Bulldogs!

Dr. William M. Downs
President